Best holiday parks in Scotland, as recommended by parents

One of the largest and busiest Haven parks in Scotland, you only have to look at the indoor water complex with its flumes, racing slides, waterfalls, and lazy river to understand why this is such a popular resort for families.

Craig Tara has loads of facilities aimed at children of all ages. The Adventure Village is a great place for families to challenge each other on the climbing walls and rope courses, and the large inflatable obstacle course and indoor soft play area are great places for younger children to burn off some excess energy before bed.

There's a wide choice of accommodation on site, ranging from two-bed caravans to three-bed apartments with private verandas and plenty of family-friendly dining options, including restaurants like Burger King, Chopstix and Papa John's takeaway on the park.

It’s worth noting that some recent reviews have highlighted cleanliness issues with the Saver caravans, so it’s worth considering the range of accommodation choices on offer.

You can expect high-energy fun and entertainment at Craig Tara but it’s also well positioned for a stroll along Aryshire's rugged coast and sandy beaches - a great option for those who may want some peace and quiet after a busy day of play at the pool.

Nearest train station: Ayr (4 miles)

Located on the edge of a sandy beach, with stunning views of the Lake District mountains, Southerness Holiday Park offers a convenient base for families heading to nearby Galloway Forest Park and Dumfries’ River Nith.

Families can choose from a range of accommodation including caravans, lodges, camping and touring, with several brand-new caravans added to the park recently.

As well as plenty to explore outside the resort, this holiday park has great facilities for families including a 25-metre indoor pool with a flume and toddler pool, an outdoor adventure play area, an arcade with pool tables and a nature trail.

As well as daily kids’ club activities, Southerness has a lively entertainment programme that helps create a fun-filled break both day and night. Families can dine at the Coast Bar & Restaurant or get a takeaway from Late Night Loaded. The new ice cream station is likely to be a hit with the kids (and the grown-ups!)

Nearest train station: Dumfries (16 miles)

Praised for its cleanliness, evening entertainment and stunning surroundings, Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park is located right on the beach and set beside a busy marina, surrounded by picturesque castles, country parks and forests.

Accommodation ranges from budget-friendly touring and camping pitches to caravans and luxury lodges, with family-friendly facilities that offer something for everyone.

Whether you prefer to relax in the indoor pool, challenge your family at the 9-hole crazy golf course, spot a variety of wildlife on the nature trail or simply race around the adventure playground, there are plenty of activities to keep little ones entertained.

In the evenings, Spelding’s Lounge Bar offers a range of dining options (even for fussy eaters), before high-energy shows, cabarets and acts begin - sure to impress and entertain guests of all ages.

Nearest train station: Nairn (1.2 miles)

As well as having the most adorable name, this small Parkdean holiday park is a stone's throw from Embo beach with impressive views across Ben Bhraggie and the Dornoch Firth. If you’re hoping to explore the local area, there are plenty of castles, cathedrals and wildlife parks nearby.

Guests can choose from more luxurious lodges and caravans, some of which are blessed with sea views (certainly worth the extra fee).

As well as relaxed family days building sandcastles on the beach, children will love the facilities at Grannie’s Holiday Home, including an indoor pool and an outdoor adventure playground.

The Coast Bar and Restaurant offers a range of family dining options for families, and there’s a variety of evening entertainment on offer.

Nearest train station: Golspie (9 miles)

A peaceful and relaxed family-friendly hideaway, Tummel Valley Holiday Park is set in an area of natural beauty in the Tay forest woodland with the River Tummel running alongside it.

Ideal for outdoorsy families, there are some great cycling and walking trails close by.

The stylish lodges and caravans are modern and comfortable, while the onsite facilities include nature trails, an adventure play park, a multi-sports court, crazy golf and an arcade. The indoor heated pool will keep kids content whatever the weather, and you can even borrow books for your bedtime story from the Little Lending Library.

The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant has been recently refurbished with some great food options to take in or take away.

While it sounds like some recent staffing issues have affected service in recent months, the overall TripAdvisor reviews are excellent.

Nearest train station: Blair Atholl (15 miles)

If you fancy a relaxing family break with your four-legged friend in tow, Loch Lomond Holiday Park in Argyll is ideal for families with well-behaved dogs. Located on the banks of Loch Lomond, it's an idyllic base and offers stunning mountain views and scenery that will quite simply take your breath away. It’s also just an hour from Glasgow if you fancy pairing a stay with a city break.

As part of the Wanderwood Lodge Holidays Collection, guests can choose from glamping pods, traditional log cabins or premium hot tub lodges (the latter costs significantly more).

It’s all about location here, so while the on-site facilities are basic (there’s a play area and small games room), this holiday park offers plenty of options for active families including boat, kayak and paddleboard hire on the Loch Lomond itself. There are also some restaurants and shops within a short distance of the park.

There’s no pool or evening entertainment so this park may be better suited to families with older children or teens.

Nearest train station: Arrochar & Tarbet Train Station (4 miles)

If you’re after a holiday park that makes exploring straightforward, you can’t get much more convenient than Wemyss Bay, which has a train station, a bus stop and a ferry terminal just a short stroll from the park.

From here you can explore local forests, catch the ferry to Bute, explore some of Scotland's beautiful islands or take a 10-minute drive out to the beach. With beautiful views across the Firth of Clyde, the park is also home to some fantastic sunsets at the end of a fun-filled day.

With a choice of lodges or brand-new luxury caravans, there’s plenty to keep kids entertained on-site. Guests can enjoy the indoor pool and paddling area, or compete with the family in the recently refurbished arcade.

While some recent reviews comment about cleanliness, many also praise the incredible onsite entertainment team, who work hard to create fun and laughter for younger visitors.

Nearest train station: Wemyss Bay (less than 1 mile)

A quiet and relatively small family-owned holiday park, Blairgowrie is located just off the Royal Deeside tourist trail, an ideal base for exploring the Perthshire countryside. Just an hour from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, it’s also a convenient base for those who want to visit a variety of Scottish attractions in one trip.

Accommodation choices include modern and spacious lodges (some of which have hot tubs) and while the park has very few facilities (just a small outdoor play area), guests are free to use the facilities at Corriefodly holiday park just a short drive away, where there’s a bar, an indoor soft play centre and weekend entertainment.

With a relaxed family atmosphere, there’s also plenty of green outdoor space to explore.

Nearest train station: Dunkeld & Birnam (14 miles)

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out how this Park Holidays park got its name - Silver Sands is located on the stunning Moray Firth coast with direct access down to a beautiful sandy beach, reflecting the sunlight as it sets behind the horizon each evening.

Ideal for active families, this Lossiemouth holiday park is conveniently located for exploring the Scottish Highlands, including walks in the Grampian Mountains and Cairngorms National Park and surfing or sailing on the coast.

In addition to modern and spacious caravans, Silver Sands also offers touring breaks. with a range of grass and hard-standing gravel pitches. If you fancy camping but are likely to miss your home comforts, the new ensuite pitches include a private shower and toilet facilities.

On-site facilities include a small heated indoor pool with a sauna and a gym, and an outdoor adventure playground for the kids. Thanks to the recent Clubhouse refurbishment, children certainly won’t be bored - the new arcade area and children’s activity zone offer plenty to keep them entertained, especially if the weather isn't on your side.

If you're partial to a bit of holiday park entertainment, don’t forget your dabber! Silver Sands offers excellent evening entertainment including shows, karaoke, quizzes and of course bingo, suitable for the whole family to enjoy and spend quality time together.

Nearest train station: Elgin (6.6 miles)

If your family loves the great outdoors, Blair Castle Caravan Park in Perthshire is a great choice. A large four-star holiday park at the entrance to Cairngorms National Park, it’s set within the grounds of a beautiful castle, making it a perfect base for exploring the rugged and rural Scottish Highlands.

Accommodation options include camping, touring, woodlands lodges and cosy pods and while the park is popular in peak season, there’s certainly space for everyone.

A quieter and more relaxed holiday park than some, Blair Castle is well suited to families that are looking for a more peaceful and calm break, with wide open areas to run around and play lawn games on, as well as a natural outdoor play area for the kids.

It’s worth noting that WiFi is a bit hit and miss, which could create the ideal opportunity to ‘switch off’ and really enjoy time together as a family.

Nearest train station: Blaire Atholl (0.4 miles)